Encouraging the ‘Voice of the Child’ in Early Learning & School Age Childcare

The ‘voice of the child’ as a concept is one we often hear in relation to early learning and care, however it is crucial to the early learning and development of the young children in our services that it is viewed as more than just a concept, and ingrained in our day to day practice.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of The Child (UNCRC) is an international agreement that details the rights afforded to children and young people under the age of 18.

In 1992 Ireland signed the UNCRC, ensuring their commitment to the children of Ireland being rights holders, and that these rights will be afforded to them.

Although there are numerous articles within the UNCRC that relate to the Early Years Sector, Article 12 ensures all children have the opportunity to express themselves and have their views and opinions heard and given due weight in all matters affecting them (UNCRC, 1989).

Aistear (2024) pays particular focus to babies, children and young people being agentic learners, meaning that they have voice and autonomy in making choices and decisions in their own learning. Supporting children to become agentic learners begins in the relationships they form with the significant adults in their lives, including the early years educators; these relationships encourage children to become confident in their early years settings and allows them a safe space to express their ‘voice’ and be active contributors in their early learning environment (McDermott, M. 2016).

A practical approach for early years educators to support their practice in meaningfully listening to children is the Lundy Model of Participation which was developed by Professor Laura Lundy in 2007.

This model has four elements that have a sequential order, which are:

(Lundy’s Voice Model Checklist for Participation as included in Ireland’s National Strategy on Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-Making 2015-2026)

Following the steps of the Lundy Model can help to ensure that you are affording children the opportunity to have their voices heard in decisions that have an impact on their early learning and education. This model can be used in line with all types of early years curriculum approaches, including Play Based, Montessori, Steiner and High Scope (Lundy, 2007).

The Participation Framework was developed as a collaboration between the DCEDIY, Hub na nÓg and Professor Laura Lundy. This framework comprises of a number of checklists that early year’s educators can use to support and improve their practice in listening to young children (DCEDIY, 2024).

Kilkenny County Childcare Committee offer ‘Everyday Spaces’ training, which takes a more in-depth look at the Participation Framework and explores practical ways to actively listen to the young children in your service. If you wish to receive information on our next round of Everyday Spaces training, please contact Kilkenny County Childcare Committee on 056 7752865.

Mags Hayes – Development Officer